One-Room/One-Cart: A Model To Improve Nursing Workflow

This case study outlines how The University Of Colorado Hospital (UCH) reduced downtime, conserved battery life, and improved clinical documentation by adopting a room-based mobile cart model.

Reviewing its options, UCH first reconsidered its fundamental model for mobile computing. Based on its research and discussions with peers, UCH abandoned its one-cart-per-nurse approach. Instead, it decided to place a dedicated computer in each patient room to support EMR access and, eventually, electronic medication administration (eMAR).

UCH then evaluated mobile carts as opposed to wall-mounted work stations. Cost and construction-related disruptions were key considerations because mounted stations would require retro-fitting the rooms. For convenience and to avoid disturbing patients in their rooms, support staff preferred having the option of removing carts and computers for maintenance.

In addition, these permanent fixtures often required that nurses have their backs to the patients while documenting care – an unfortunate and unacceptable scenario.

The UCH project team chose the room-based mobile cart model, assigning one cart per patient room. This decision immediately alleviated physical strain placed on nurses who had been pushing older, heavier carts in the longer hallways of the new hospital building. Within the room, this approach provided the ideal level of maneuverability. Nurses using EMR or eMAR technologies could get closer to the bedside for improved patient interaction.

Having settled on this room-based mobile cart model, UCH invited six manufacturers to exhibit their carts. Nurses and other personnel evaluated vendors using a standard ranking scale across about a dozen factors, including: Access This Content To Read This Case Study In Its Entirety.